Next campus deadline: March 2026
Recording of January 2025 Info Session (opens mp4)
The Beinecke Scholarship provides $35,000 ($5,000 prior to graduate study and $15,000 per year) for two years of graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Eighty colleges and universities from across the U.S. (including UC Berkeley) are invited to nominate one student for the scholarship; twenty scholarships are awarded nationwide. Most Beinecke recipients are at the top of their class academically and many plan to pursue careers in college teaching and/or research.
Prospective applicants must make an individual advising appointment with Keila Diehl, the Beinecke Scholarship campus representative.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- be a Junior (“Junior” means a student who is currently enrolled, plans to continue full-time undergraduate study, and expects to receive a baccalaureate degree between December 2026 and August 2027)
- have demonstrated superior intellectual ability (typically minimum 3.5 GPA) and personal promise
- be planning to enter a research- or creative-focused master’s or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences (Note: students in the social sciences who plan to pursue graduate study in neuroscience or clinical psychology should not apply.)
- have a documented history of receiving need-based financial aid as an undergraduate, with a slight preference for Pell Grant recipients
Selection Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Demonstration of superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during their undergraduate career.
Application Requirements
- Application Form
- Statement (1,000 words)
- C.V. (no page limit)
- Official copies of all college transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable for nomination process)
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty members (use submission form)
- Creative portfolio (for MFA candidates only)
- Financial Aid Data Sheet (if nominated by UC Berkeley)
- Certification of Eligibility Form (if nominated by UC Berkeley)
For more information about this opportunity, visit the Beinecke Scholarship website (opens external site).
